Service of Everyone Has a Price

March 5th, 2018

I recently heard someone say “Everyone has a price.” He was speaking about an acquaintance of his who was making a chunk of change as one of the masterminds behind the campaign of the current president.

“Desperate times call for desperate measures” could be one reason for some to ride roughshod over common sense and decency [though I doubt this was the excuse for the person just mentioned]. I took a job in an industry that appealed to me even though it had warning signs flashing all over it. The business owner was not my cup of tea but I needed to pay the rent and didn’t have the luxury to wait for the right job in the perfect place. There was nothing dishonest about what I was doing: The culture didn’t jive. I stayed the obligatory year.

Photo: saic.edu

Mind you, I don’t begrudge wealthy people whose bank accounts burst with cash as a result of sweat and smarts, choosing a lucrative industry, willing to take risks, folks who may also have benefitted from good timing and a dollop of luck.

Yet countless books and movies describe what happens to those who arrive by selling out. Once they get over the thrill of being rich no matter what I wonder if some regret what it took, especially if their life falls apart as a result.

I posit that with crucial basics taken care of—enough to feed, clothe and shelter themselves and their families—no amount of money would twist the arms of the people I admire to take a job involving dodgy business. Do you have a price? Do you know folks who turned their backs on their principles, made a bundle and have no regrets?

6 Responses to “Service of Everyone Has a Price”

March 6th, 2018Lucrezia Said:

I haven’t the faintest idea since the question never arose, and I don’t see it happening..

March 6th, 2018Jeanne Byington Said:

Lucrezia,

People thinking they were doing the right thing have offered to pay me when I’m already being paid by my client. PR projects often involve partnerships. Say I represent an association with many members or an event with many participants and I zero in on one for a case history to illustrate my client’s program or product. Often the client and member or exhibitor get a lot of publicity as a result. It would be double-dipping to accept a cent from the “partner.” But the offer is meant well. I thank, am glad the partner is grateful and I pass.

I have also been approached to share insider information. I do not empathize with anyone who accepts money or goods for such a thing. There are no exceptions or excuses.

March 7th, 2018Martha Takayama Said:

Unfortunately without hesitation many Americans with some ideals can only conclude that starting with our President our country is operating largely on the basis that simply everyone has a price. This concept is not necessarily working as smoothly or consistently as anticipated from the White House down, but there are daily validations in all fields of endeavor that many of our elected, appointed officials at all levels can be bought easily.

The same is obviously true for all kinds of executives and people who hold leverage of varying degrees over others. Often the offers are amazingly simplistic or fraught with obvious perils. Nevertheless, it seems that what remains very inexpensive and easily sold are human lives. I would be able to go on endlessly about the sellouts that permeate all aspects of our society including or perhaps especially religion at this point in time. I unhesitatingly concur with Jeanne that “I posit that with crucial basics taken care of—enough to feed, clothe and shelter themselves and their families—no amount of money would twist the arms of the people I admire to take a job involving dodgy business.”

March 7th, 2018Jeanne Byington Said:

Martha,

The damage done internationally by the flagrant greed at the top and by the mercurial day-to-day 180 degree erratic changes from threats to eradicate other countries to slapping hysterical, irrational tariffs on imports of foreign vehicles [aren’t many assembled here by our workers?], and on aluminum and steel, will take years to erase, if we ever can.

How can another country trust a place whose citizens voted for and continue to support/stand for such activity? This person is robbing us of more than our reputation, but of treasure as well, with weekly visits to Florida or to other of his properties while the staff and secret service charge up meals and lodging to his business? Insane.

March 7th, 2018Lucan Said:

I’ve known several people doing jobs I would not have touched. I suppose they had their price, or they may have been in greater need of work than I. In my case, I don’t know, but I’ve often thought about it. Do I really not have a price at which I can be bought? I just don’t know.

I was lucky to never have been faced with the decision. I came close once or twice, but, fortunately, circumstances intervened, and someone else made it for me.

As to the Trump mess, organizations develop personalities and characters just as people do. When you look at the people working for him, you get a pretty good idea of what the job would be like if you worked for him. Likewise, as hard up as they are for workers, they’d never hire me I just wouldn’t fit.

March 8th, 2018Jeanne Byington Said:

Lucan,

Requirement for working for Mr. T is to be comfortable living on pins and needles. The most loyal of them who trots off to echo one or another point he’s just made will eventually be caught looking stupid when he pivots and changes his mind. I once represented a crazy person who seemed average at first. It was scary and I got out of the arrangement in the smoothest way I could. Frankly, I was frightened of him. I keep thinking of shooting a roach with a cannon when I see how DT trashes people who were one of his faithfuls or any who disagree with him. I’m in awe of those who think that he’ll treat them differently. Happens all the time–men or women who marry someone with a terrible flaw that they think will change once they say “I do.” That said, it is for many more reasons than this that I would pass on working for someone or an organization that strikes me wrong.